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iPROTECT
1205
Pen-style RF detector
Easy and quick detection of RF bugs of different types,
including VHF/UHF transmitters, GSM bugs, wireless video
cameras, Wi-Fi audio and video transmitters, vehicle trans-
mitters, body-carried transmitters, etc.
3 working modes: Normal, Vibrating and Audio
Wide frequency range 50-6000 MHz
Powered by just 1 x AA battery
16-segment bargraph indicator
Highly sensitive to real signals without being affected by
weak background radio waves
No sensitivity loss at battery discharge
Low power indication
High-quality detection scheme with professional RF isolation
Reliable and tested device for different sweeping tasks
Detects both analogue and digital transmissions
Allows the operator to locate the source
Vibrating signal for concealed indication of a high RF level
and testing hard to access places
Durable duralumin case
Battery resource 10-20 hours
Features
Specifications
Frequency range
Batery recource
Dimensions
Power source
Frequency range
Controls
Indicators
Power button,
Mode buton,
ATT button
1) 16-segment bargraph;
2) Vibration
3) Battery state (3 colors)
4) Working mode
5) ATT state
50MHz-6GHz
10-20 hours
172 x 19 mm
1 x AA battery (LR06)
100 mA in stand-by mode
200 mA at a full bargraph
Physical attenuator provides ability to locate strong RF sources
Theory of counter surveillance
According to the way of broadcasting, RF bugging devices can
be divided as follows:
FM / AM audio and video transmitters
Digital transmitters with a continuous carrier
Digital transmitters with storage, compression and short-time
transmission
Spread-spectrum transmitters
H opping transmitters (frequently changing frequency)
T ransmitters using the DVB (digital television) standard
T ransmitters using the GSM standard (GSM baby , GSM spy
phone, etc.)
A udio/Video transmitters using the 3G and 4G standards
A udio/Video transmitters using the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/DECT
protocols
O ther transmitters using the standard communication or
broadcasting protocols for sending information outside a
premises (for example, a smartphone with special software
or voice recorder with Wi-Fi access function, etc.)
According to the sort of transmitted information RF bugging
devices can be divided into the following types:
room or body-carried audio/video transmitters
telephone line transmitters which start transmission when the
receiver is picked up
universal room/phone line transmitters, which work depending
on the phone's receiver state (on/off-hook) and transmit both
room acoustics and phone conversations
vehicle audio/video transmitters (often with high power)
GPS car trackers (receive GPS coordinates and then transmit
them via GSM/GPRS/EDGE/3G/4G, typically periodical or
delayed transmission). Additional functions can be audio/
video transmission from within the car
What is an RF detector?
An RF detector is a device which can show the general RF level
in a current part of a premises. The sweeping procedure is
performed by inspecting (probing) all places in the premises
with the RF detector while watching the RF level. If there is a
source of radio waves (legal or illegal), the RF detector will show
an increased level on its bargraph indicator. The operator can
find the physical location of the highest RF level by moving the
detector in different directions in order to locate the transmitter.
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Examples of legal transmitters are: DECT telephones or their base
stations, Wi-Fi routers, Wi-Fi devices, working mobile phones
(GSM, 3G, 4G, etc.), wireless video cameras, child surveillance
systems, etc. Illegal devices, i.e. bugs can be: hidden video
cameras, hidden GSM/3G/Wi-FI transmitters, VHF/UHF trans-
mitters, microwave transmitters, etc. The task of an RF detector is
to show the operator all the RF sources that are present. The
operator is then able to study all the sources and as such find
any illegal transmitters if they exist.
Parts description
Designed for simplicity, the iProtect 1205 contains powerful
highly-sensitive elements in its circuitry, allowing the operator
to conduct countersurveillance sweeping at a highly professional
level. The advantage of RF detectors is their wide frequency
coverage and their ability to show radio waves right near
The iProtect 1205 has a 16-segment bargraph indicator which
allows the operator to see the slightest changes in level and as
such accurately find the area with the strongest signal for
location.
When it is necessary to decrease the sensitivity, typically during
the location process, the operator can use the attenuator function
ATT. The iProtect 1205 has a 'physical' (as in professional
communications) RF attenuator of a level up to -20dB. The
corresponding indicator will show the attenuator status.
The working mode (Vibrating/Audio/Normal) can be selected by
the MODE button. The vibrating mode allows the user to 'feel'
the increased level without actually watching the bargraph. This is
convenient during the process of inspecting hard to access
places like gaps under/behind furniture and construction. The
Audio mode helps the user to identify signals in many cases.
The power can be turned on and off with the help of the button
on the bottom tip of the detector. The battery compartment is also
situated there.
When the battery becomes low, the power indicator changes its
color from green to orange. When the battery is about to dis-
charge completely, the power indicator becomes red.
The device is powered by 1 LR06 (AA) battery. The resource
time is 10-20 hours.
The iProtect 1205 solves this task in the best possible way,
accurately eliminating any background noises and indicating real
signals. With the help of the 1205 the operator can track all RF
sources and is therefore able to find the bugging device if there
is one present.
the source and therefore show the location of the transmitter.
High-sensitive RF antenna Attenuator function
16-segment bargraph
Vibrating and audio modes
172 mm
19 mm
Power on/off
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Sweeping
Sweeping in the premises
Before starting sweeping, you should perform some preparations.
Firstly, it is necessary to consider the time of the sweep and the
situation. Since there are lots of devices that are remotely
controlled (particularly GSM/3G/Wi-Fi/etc.), it is recommended to
carry out a sweep during working hours in real situations, when
the eavesdropper most wants to listen and with the presence of
sound in the room. In this case it may be necessary to arrange
a fictitious meeting.
Start with the attenuator turned off. Enter the room while holding
the iProtect 1205 and start probing objects and surfaces with its
antenna (upper tip). Since some types of transmitters have
extremely low power, it is recommended to carry out inspection
at a distance of not less than 10-20 cm from the object. Move
around the room in a selected direction – clockwise or counter
clockwise and probe all the items/surfaces/gaps, etc. Pay special
attention to the places where electrical wires are present as a
potential bugging device could be powered by these. Do not
forget about any objects situated in the middle of the room.
Open all wardrobes, cabinets, etc. since a bugging device could
be anywhere; test the ceiling (opening tiles if necessary) and the
floor. Use a ladder if necessary to get as close to high points in
the room as possible.
The target zone (the area around the most used work space in
the room being checked) is the most important since sound
around this area is clearest; therefore inspect it with as much
care as possible.
An increased RF level on the bargraph and/or vibration from the
1205 are signs of radio waves, which can be produced both by
a normal device like a Wi-Fi router or a real bugging device, for
example by an FM VHF transmitter.
The task of operator is to find the place with the maximum RF
level and then to trace the transmitter. If it is impossible to find
the strongest place and the signal is similar everywhere (for
example near a window), it may be external interference. In
modern cities there is lot of interference like communication base
stations or broadcasting.
Please remember that interference may also get into a room from
adjacent premises. It can be Wi-Fi routers, DECT base stations,
conversations using GSM/3G/4G mobile phones in the neigh-
boring flats/offices or VHF/UHF communications from a taxi car
standing near the building. If the RF level is strong, the bargraph
may show the maximum level. The attenuator function will be
useful in this case. Turn it on and continue searching for the place
with the maximum level, after finishing and returning to the normal
sweep do not forget to turn off the attenuator.
If the RF level is strong, the bargraph may show the maximum
level. The attenuator function will be useful in this case. Turn it on
and continue searching for the place with the maximum level,
after finishing and returning to the normal sweep do not forget to
turn off the attenuator.
After finding a place with a strong RF level go to a physical
inspection. Disassemble the object and try to find the transmitter.
Before making a decision understand what the object is, maybe
producing RF waves is its normal function (like the Wi-Fi router).
Do not stop sweeping even if a bugging device is found. Some
other, better hidden, bugging devices may be still present in the
room.
Checking landline telephones and lines
Telephone bugs may be installed anywhere a phone line lays. It
may be within the phone set, the phone outlet connecting box or
cable. Most telephone bugs activate only when the receiver is
off-hook. Therefore sweeping of landline phone lines is carried
out only when the receiver is in this state. Start checking from the
phone set. Place the iProtect 1205's antenna near the set and lift
the receiver. Watch for an increase of the RF level. If you are tes-
ting a wireless phone, you will see a strong radio field on the
display, as the phone uses radio communication between the
receiver and its base. This is normal but such a situation makes it
difficult to check wireless phones for the presence of bug inside
it. Disassembling and inspecting the schematics of the telephone
for the presence of non-standard parts or 'signs of modification'
could be the solution in this case.
Move the antenna along the phone line while keeping it off-hook.
Check all the outlets and communication boxes. If you have an
assistant, ask him to lift the receiver and then hang it up repea-
tedly. If you see that the RF level changes when the line is
activated and deactivated, this isa sign of a bug's presence. Try
to locate the place where the RF level is highest and then
perform a physical search.
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Inspecting people
There are many types of body-carried transmitters. They may
broadcast conversations and (or) video signals. To test a person,
carry the iProtect 1205 in a pocket or in the supplied case with
the power turned on. Approach the person while sensing the vib-
ration of the detector. If it starts vibrating, it means that the person
is carrying a transmitting device. Note the detection distance of
the device. Some weak signals such as Bluetooth can only be
Inspecting vehicles
There are a number of bugs and trackers which can be installed
in a car. Firstly, make sweeping inside the vehicle similar to the
procedure for inside a premises. Then repeat the procedure pro-
bing the car from outside, above and under it. Keep the engine
running.
GPS trackers (and also 3G/4G trackers) accumulate the route
and send the data periodically, with a pre-programmed interval,
more frequently when the car is moving. Therefore it is necessary
to detect the transmissions while the car is moving and during
quite a long period of time. Because of these reasons the detec-
ting device must be very sensitive to detecting the RF waves
from a car's interior during travel while the transmitter is situated
somewhere outside the car. That is why we recommend applying
the more sensitive Protect 1207i, which is better suited for finding
GPS trackers.
4G (LTE) telephone
VHF/UHF transmitter 5mW
AC powered audio transmitter
Baby watch 2.4 G
Hz
Wireless camera (hidden) 50 mW
GSM transmitter (Baby monitor) /
GSM telephone
Bluetooth
Wi-Fi router
Wi-Fi transmitter
3G transmitter / telephone
50-100 cm
50-100 cm
50 cm
50 cm – 1 meter
30-200 cm
10-30 cm
50-100 cm
30-100 cm
20-60 cm
20-60 cm
Detecting distance
detected at a distance of approximately 10 cm. Another way is to
place the iProtect 1205's antenna under the table close to the
place where the person will sit (in this case it will be necessary
to make an RF extension cable for antenna). Watch the RF level
on the bargraph when the target person sits or during the
meeting. An increased level may be a sign of a transmitting bug.
(If a mobile phone is ringing or somebody is talking by mobile
phone it is normal for the device to show an increased level.)
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